WNV core protein/capsid interacting protein and uses of the same

ABSTRACT

Substantially pure WIP-1 and its use in assays to identify PAP-1/WIP-1 interaction inhibitors or WIP-I/WNV Cp interaction inhibitors are disclosed. Compositions comprising antisense sequences to prevent expression of WIP-1 and methods of treating cancer using the same are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application of PCT International Application PCT/US02/16692 filed May 28, 2002 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/293,569, filed May 25, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the identification and cloning of human protein which binds to WNV capsid, to methods of making and using the same, and to compositions and methods of inhibiting their activity in the cell cycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The core protein of West Nile virus (WNV), also referred to as the capsid or Cp, has recently been identified as being capable of inducing apoptosis in cell in which it is present. This observation is described in PCT/US01/31355 and Ser. No. 60/237,885, which are each incorporated herein by reference.

There is a need to identify novel compounds which inhibit WNV replication. Specifically, safe and effective compounds are sought which reduce replication by interfering with particular molecular signals mediated by WNV capsid protein. Likewise, safe and effective compounds are sought which interfere with the cofactor with which WNV Cp interacts, which is an essential component of the cell cycle cascade. Moreover, there is a need to identify the co-factor and target it in methods of modulating the cell cycle. There is a need for compounds and methods for inhibiting the activity of WNV Cp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to substantially pure WIP-1, to recombinant expression vectors comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes and host cells that comprise the recombinant expression vector.

The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules consisting of the WIP-1 cDNA sequence or a fragment thereof having at least 10 nucleotides, or a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of at least 10 nucleotides of the WIP-1 cDNA sequence.

The present invention relates to isolated antibodies which binds to an epitope on the WIP-1.

The present invention relates to methods of identifying compounds that inhibit WNV Cp binding to WIP-1.

The present invention relates to methods of identifying compounds that inhibit PAP-1 binding to WIP-1.

The present invention relates to methods of treating an individual who has tumor cells with PAP-1 associated with WIP-1 comprising administering to said individual a composition which comprises a compound that prevents WIP-1 expression or WIP-1/PAP-1 interaction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the various interactions of WIP-1, PAP-1, WNV Cp and PIM-1.

FIG. 2 shows the cDNA and amino acid sequences of WIP-1 including the HA fusion sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2).

FIG. 3 shows the cDNA and amino acid sequences of WIP-1 (SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It has been discovered that WNV Cp binds to a protein called WNV Capsid Protein/Core Interacting Protein 1 (WIP-1) which associates with an oncogene referred to as PAP-1. It has been discovered that WNV Cp induces apoptosis. Accordingly, the modulation of interaction between WNV Cp and WIP-1 may inhibit WNV activity. Moreover, binding to WIP-1 or otherwise inhibiting its association with PAP1 may induce apoptosis.

As used herein, WIP-1 is used interchangeably throughout with PAPA-1 and each designation refers to the same gene and protein as the other. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/293,569 which is incorporated herein by reference.

The discovery that WIP-1 binds to the apoptosis inducing protein WNV Cp the means to design and discover specific inhibitors. According to the present invention, WIP-1 may be used to screen compounds for specific inhibitors. Inhibitors are useful as anti-WNV agents. Purified WIP-1, and complexes which include WIP-1, may be used in drug screens to determine whether or not these proteins and complexes are active in the presence of test compounds. Test compounds may be screened to identify compounds which dissociate the complexes and inhibit the formation of complexes.

WIP-1 is an interacting protein of PAP-1, a ligand for the proto-oncogene PIM-1. FIG. 1 shows the various interactions. The discovery that when WIP-1 binds to the apoptosis inducing protein WNV Cp provides a means to design and discover specific inhibitors of WIP-1/PAP-1 interactions as well as a target for inducing apoptosis in tumor cells which have WIP-1/PAP-1 complexes. According to the present invention, WIP-1 may be used to screen compounds for specific inhibitors of WIP-1/PAP-1 interactions. Inhibitors are useful as anti-cancer agents. Purified WIP-1, and complexes which include WIP-1, may be used in drug screens to determine whether or not these proteins and complexes are active in the presence of test compounds. Test compounds may be screened to identify compounds which dissociate the complexes and inhibit the formation of complexes.

Isolated cDNA that encodes WIP-1 is useful as a starting material in the recombinant production of WIP-1. The cDNA is incorporated into vectors including expression vectors which are introduced into host cells that then express the proteins recombinantly. Nucleic acid molecules and fragments thereof, particularly genomic sequences may be used as probes to detect genetic rearrangements. Probes are useful, for example, in restriction fragment length polymorphism assays and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays. Nucleic acid molecules which comprise a nucleotide sequence which are complementary to fragments of the cDNA that encode WIP-1 may be used as antisense molecules and primers to inhibit translation of mRNA and amplify genetic sequences, respectively.

WIP-1 is encoded by cDNA shown in FIG. 2 which also lists the amino acid sequence of WIP-1 can be isolated from natural sources, produced by recombinant DNA methods or synthesized by standard protein synthesis techniques.

Using standard techniques and readily available starting materials, a nucleic acid molecule that encodes WIP-1 may be isolated from a cDNA library, using probes and primers which are designed using the nucleotide sequence information disclosed. The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes WIP-1. The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of WIP-1, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules consist of a nucleotide sequence that encodes WIP-1. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules comprise the nucleotide sequence that consists of the coding sequence of WIP-1 or complimentary sequences thereof. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules consist of the nucleotide sequence set that encodes WIP-1. The isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention are useful to prepare constructs and recombinant expression systems for preparing proteins of the invention.

A cDNA library may be generated by well known techniques. A cDNA clone which contains one of the nucleotide sequences described herein may be identified using probes or primers that comprise at least a portion of the nucleotide sequence that encodes WIP-1. The probes or primers have at least 16 nucleotides, preferably at least 24 nucleotides. The probes or primers are used to screen the cDNA library using standard hybridization techniques. Alternatively, genomic clones may be isolated using genomic DNA from any human cell as a starting material.

The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules that comprise a nucleotide sequence identical or complementary to a fragment of WIP-1 which is at least 10 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid molecules consist of a nucleotide sequence identical or complementary to a fragment of WIP-1 which is at least 10 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid molecules comprise or consist of a nucleotide sequence identical or complementary to a fragment of WIP-1 which is 15-150 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid molecules comprise or consist of a nucleotide sequence identical or complementary to a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1 or which is 15-30 nucleotides. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that comprise or consist of a nucleotide sequence identical or complementary to a fragment of WIP-1 which is at least 10 nucleotides are useful as probes for identifying genes and cDNA sequence of WIP-1. PCR primers for amplifying WIP-1 genes and WIP-1 cDNA, and antisense molecules for inhibiting transcription and translation of WIP-1 genes and WIP-1 cDNA, respectively, which encode WIP-1. The antisense molecules for inhibiting transcription and translation of WIP-1 may be incorporated into a pharmaceutical composition useful to treat cancer.

The cDNA that encodes WIP-1 may be used as a molecular marker in electrophoresis assays in which cDNA from a sample is separated on an electrophoresis gel and WIP-1 probes are used to identify bands which hybridize to such probes. The isolated nucleic acid molecule provided as a size marker will show up as a positive band which is known to hybridize to the probes and thus can be used as a reference point to the size of cDNA that encodes WIP-1. Electrophoresis gels useful in such an assay include standard polyacrylamide gels as described in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning a Laboratory Manual, Second Ed. Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989) which is incorporated herein by reference.

The nucleotide sequences of WIP-1 may be used to design probes, primers and complementary molecules which specifically hybridize to the unique nucleotide sequences of WIP-1. Probes, primers and complementary molecules which specifically hybridize to nucleotide sequence that encodes WIP-1 may be designed routinely by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The present invention also includes labeled oligonucleotides which are useful as probes for performing oligonucleotide hybridization methods to identify WIP-1. Accordingly, the present invention includes probes that can be labeled and hybridized to unique nucleotide sequences of WIP-1. The labeled probes of the present invention are labeled with radiolabeled nucleotides or are otherwise detectable by readily available nonradioactive detection systems. In some preferred embodiments, probes comprise oligonucleotides consisting of between 10 and 100 nucleotides. In some preferred, probes comprise oligonucleotides consisting of between 10 and 50 nucleotides. In some preferred, probes comprise oligonucleotides consisting of between 12 and 20 nucleotides. The probes preferably contain nucleotide sequence completely identical or complementary to a fragment of a unique nucleotide sequences of WIP-1. In some embodiments, labeled probes are used to determine on which chromosome the WIP-1 gene is present.

The cDNA that encodes WIP-1 may be used to design PCR primers for amplifying nucleic acid sequences. PCR technology is practiced routinely by those having ordinary skill in the art and its uses in diagnostics are well known and accepted. Methods for practicing PCR technology are disclosed in “PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications”, Innis, M. A., et al. Eds. Academic Press, Inc. San Diego, Calif. (1990) which is incorporated herein by reference. Applications of PCR technology are disclosed in “Polymerase Chain Reaction” Erlich, H. A., et al., Eds. Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989) which is incorporated herein by reference. Some simple rules aid in the design of efficient primers. Typical primers are 18-28 nucleotides in length having 50% to 60% g+c composition. The entire primer is preferably complementary to the sequence it must hybridize to. Preferably, primers generate PCR products 100 base pairs to 2000 base pairs. However, it is possible to generate products of 50 base pairs to up to 10 kb and more.

PCR technology allows for the rapid generation of multiple copies of nucleotide sequences by providing 5′ and 3′ primers that hybridize to sequences present in a nucleic acid molecule, and further providing free nucleotides and an enzyme which fills in the complementary bases to the nucleotide sequence between the primers with the free nucleotides to produce a complementary strand of DNA. The enzyme will fill in the complementary sequences adjacent to the primers. If both the 5′ primer and 3′ primer hybridize to nucleotide sequences on the complementary strands of the same fragment of nucleic acid, exponential amplification of a specific double-stranded product results. If only a single primer hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule, linear amplification produces single-stranded products of variable length.

The present invention relates to a vector or a recombinant expression vector that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes WIP-1. As used herein, the term “recombinant expression vector” is meant to refer to a plasmid, phage, viral particle or other vector which, when introduced into an appropriate host, contains the necessary genetic elements to direct expression of the coding sequence that encodes WIP-1.

One having ordinary skill in the art can isolate the nucleic acid molecule that encodes WIP-1 and insert it into an expression vector using standard techniques and readily available starting materials. The coding sequence is operably linked to the necessary regulatory sequences. Expression vectors are well known and readily available. Examples of expression vectors include plasmids, phages, viral vectors and other nucleic acid molecules or nucleic acid molecule containing vehicles useful to transform host cells and facilitate expression of coding sequences. The recombinant expression vectors of the invention are useful for transforming hosts which express WIP-1.

The present invention relates to a host cell that comprises the recombinant expression vector that includes a nucleotide sequence that WIP-1. Host cells for use in well known recombinant expression systems for production of proteins are well known and readily available. Examples of host cells include bacteria cells such as E. coli, yeast cells such as S. cerevisiae, insect cells such as S. frugiperda, non-human mammalian tissue culture cells chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and human tissue culture cells such as HeLa cells.

In some embodiments, for example, one having ordinary skill in the art can, using well known techniques, insert DNA molecules into a commercially available expression vector for use in well known expression systems. For example, the commercially available plasmid pSE420 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) may be used for production of WIP-1 in E. coli. The commercially available plasmid pYES2 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) may, for example, be used for production in S. cerevisiae strains of yeast. The commercially available MAXBAC™ complete baculovirus expression system (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) may, for example, be used for production in insect cells. The commercially available plasmid pcDNA I or pcDNA3 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) may, for example, be used for production in mammalian cells such as Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. One having ordinary skill in the art can use these commercial expression vectors and systems or others to produce WIP-1 routine techniques and readily available starting materials. (See e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning a Laboratory Manual, Second Ed. Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989) which is incorporated herein by reference.) Thus, the desired proteins can be prepared in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, resulting in a spectrum of processed forms of the protein.

One having ordinary skill in the art may use other commercially available expression vectors and systems or produce vectors using well known methods and readily available starting materials. Expression systems containing the requisite control sequences, such as promoters and polyadenylation signals, and preferably enhancers, are readily available and known in the art for a variety of hosts. See e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning a Laboratory Manual, Second Ed. Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989).

The expression vector including the DNA that encodes WIP-1 is used to transform the compatible host which is then cultured and maintained under conditions wherein expression of the foreign DNA takes place. The protein of the present invention thus produced is recovered from the culture, either by lysing the cells or from the culture medium as appropriate and known to those in the art. One having ordinary skill in the art can, using well known techniques, isolate WIP-1 that is produced using such expression systems. The methods of purifying WIP-1 from natural sources using antibodies which specifically bind to WIP-1 as described above, may be equally applied to purifying WIP-1 produced by recombinant DNA methodology.

Examples of genetic constructs include the WIP-1 coding sequence operably linked to a promoter that is functional in the cell line into which the constructs are transfected. Examples of constitutive promoters include promoters from cytomegalovirus or SV40. Examples of inducible promoters include mouse mammary leukemia virus or metallothionein promoters. Those having ordinary skill in the art can readily produce genetic constructs useful for transfecting with cells with DNA that encodes WIP-1 from readily available starting materials. Such gene constructs are useful for the production of WIP-1.

In addition to producing WIP-1 by recombinant techniques, automated peptide synthesizers may also be employed to produce WIP-1. Such techniques are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art and are useful if derivatives which have substitutions not provided for in DNA-encoded protein production.

In addition to producing WIP-1, PAP-1, WNV Cp and PIM-1 may be similarly produced and isolated to be used as reagents. The following sequences identified by accession number and references are incorporated herein by reference.

gene Accession number Comments PAP-1 NM 018739 Mouse PAP-1 D78255 Mouse PIM-1 M24779 Human PIM-1 NM 002648 Human PIM-1 XM 004317 Human PAPA-1 (WIP-1) AB054538 Human PAPA-1 (WIP-1) NM 031288 Human West Nile Virus AF202541 strain HNY1999 West Nile Virus NC 001563 complete genome

Nucleic acid molecules that encode WIP-1 may be delivered using any one of a variety of delivery components, such as recombinant viral expression vectors or other suitable delivery means, so as to affect their introduction and expression in compatible host cells. In general, viral vectors may be DNA viruses such as recombinant adenoviruses and recombinant vaccinia viruses or RNA viruses such as recombinant retroviruses. Other recombinant vectors include recombinant prokaryotes which can infect cells and express recombinant genes. In addition to recombinant vectors, other delivery components are also contemplated such as encapsulation in liposomes, transferrin-mediated transfection and other receptor-mediated means. The invention is intended to include such other forms of expression vectors and other suitable delivery means which serve equivalent functions and which become known in the art subsequently hereto.

The present invention is also directed to methods of inhibiting the expression of WIP-1 with oligonucleotides complementary to WIP-1 nucleic acid molecules. Oligonucleotides may comprise nucleotide sequences sufficient in identity and number to effect specific hybridization with a particular nucleic acid molecule. Such oligonucleotides are commonly described as “complementary to mRNA.” Oligonucleotides may also be directed to nucleotide sequences within the genome. Oligonucleotides are commonly used as research reagents and diagnostics. Oligonucleotides have been employed as therapeutic moieties in the treatment of disease states in animals and man.

According to the present invention, preferred intragenic site for antisense oligonucleotides is the region encompassing the translation initiation or termination codon of the open reading frame (ORF) of the gene. Other target regions include the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) and the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR). mRNA splice sites may also be preferred target regions. Once the target site has been identified, oligonucleotides are chosen which are sufficiently complementary to the target, i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and with sufficient specificity, to give the desired effect.

According to the present invention, “oligonucleotide” refers to oligomer(s) or polymer(s) of ribonucleic acid or deoxyribonucleic acid. This term includes oligonucleotides composed of naturally-occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent intersugar (backbone) linkages as well as oligonucleotides having non-naturally-occurring portions which function similarly. Modified or substituted oligonucleotides are often preferred because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for nucleic acid target and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

Preferred oligonucleotides include, for example, phosphorothioates, phosphotriesters, and methyl phosphonates. Oligonucleotides may also contain one or more substituted sugar moieties including, but not limited to, 2′-OH, halogen, and alkyl. Oligonucleotides of the invention may also include nucleobase modifications or substitutions. As used herein, “unmodified” or “natural” nucleobases include adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Modified nucleobases include, for example, hypoxanthine, 6-methyladenine, 5-me pyrimidines, 2-aminoadenine, and the like.

The oligonucleotides in accordance with this invention may comprise from about 8 to about 150 nucleotides. More preferably, the oligonucleotides preferably comprise from about 8 to about 100 nucleotides. More preferably, the oligonucleotides preferably comprise from about 8 to about 50 nucleotides. More preferably, the oligonucleotides preferably comprise from about 8 to about 30 nucleotides. It is more preferred that such oligonucleotides comprise from about 12 to 25 nucleotides.

The oligonucleotides of the present invention can be utilized as diagnostics, therapeutics and as research reagents and kits. For therapeutics, an animal, preferably a human, suspected of having a disease or disorder which can be treated by modulating the expression of WIP-1 is treated by administering oligonucleotides in accordance with this invention. The oligonucleotides of the invention can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by adding an effective amount of an oligonucleotide to a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. Use of the oligonucleotides and methods of the invention may also be useful prophylactically.

The oligonucleotides of the present invention can be used as diagnostics for the presence of WIP-1-specific nucleic acids in a cell or tissue sample. For example, radiolabeled oligonucleotides can be prepared by ³²P labeling at the 5′ end with polynucleotide kinase. Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1989, Volume 2, pg. 10.59. Radiolabeled oligonucleotides are then contacted with cell or tissue samples suspected of containing WIP-1 mRNA, and the samples are washed to remove unbound oligonucleotide. Radioactivity remaining in the sample indicates the presence of bound oligonucleotide, which in turn indicates the presence of nucleic acids complementary to the oligonucleotide, and can be quantitated using a scintillation counter or other routine means. Expression of nucleic acids encoding these proteins is thus detected.

Radiolabeled oligonucleotides of the present invention can also be used to perform autoradiography of issues to determine the localization, distribution and quantitation of WIP-1 for research, diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. In such studies, tissue sections are treated with radiolabeled oligonucleotide and washed as described above, then exposed to photographic emulsion according to routine autoradiography procedures. The emulsion, when developed, yields an image of silver grains over the regions expressing a WIP-1 gene. Quantitation of the silver grains permits detection of the expression of mRNA molecules encoding WIP-1 proteins and permits targeting of oligonucleotides to these areas.

Oligonucleotides, or vectors producing the same, can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions. Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention include delivery components in combination with nucleic acid molecules which further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or vehicles, such as, for example, saline. Any medium may be used which allows for successful delivery of the nucleic acid. One skilled in the art would readily comprehend the multitude of pharmaceutically acceptable media that may be used in the present invention. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. Osol, a standard reference text in this field, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions comprise Wip-1 or fragments thereof. In preferred embodiments the fragments bind to WNV Cp. In preferred embodiments the fragments are soluble, that is they may be injected into body fluid, particularly blood as a soluble component. Fragments comprise at least 8, preferably more than 10 amino acids from Wip-1 and may comprise non-Wip-1 sequences. In some embodiments, fragments comprise at least 15, preferably more than 20, more preferably 25 or more, more preferably 30 or more, more preferably 40 or more, more preferably 50, more preferably 60 or more, more preferably 70 or more, more preferably 80 or more, more preferably 90 or more, more preferably 100 or more, more preferably 105 or more, more preferably 110 or more, more preferably 120 or more or more, more preferably 130 or more, more preferably 140 or more, more than 150 or more, more preferably 160 or more, more preferably 170 or more, more preferably 180 or more, more preferably 190 or more, more preferably 200 or more, more preferably 210, more preferably 220 or more, more preferably 230 or more, more preferably 240 or more, more preferably 250 or more, more preferably 260 or more, more preferably 270 or more, more preferably 280 or more, more preferably 290 or more, more preferably 300 or more, more preferably 320 or more, more preferably 330. Fragments may comprise amino acids from Wip-1 and may comprise non-Wip-1 sequences. Pharmaceutical compositions are preferably injectable compositions which are sterile and pyrogen free.

Formulations for topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Compositions for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets or tablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable. Compositions for parenteral, intravenous, intrathecal or intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives and are preferably sterile and pyrogen free. Pharmaceutical compositions which are suitable for intravenous administration according to the invention are sterile and pyrogen free.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered by any means that enables the active agent to reach the agent's site of action in the body of a mammal. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical (including ophthalmic, vaginal, rectal, intranasal, transdermal), oral or parenteral. Parenteral administration includes intravenous drip, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection, pulmonary administration, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation, or intrathecal or intraventricular administration.

Dosage varies depending upon known factors such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the particular agent, and its mode and route of administration; age, health, and weight of the recipient; nature and extent of symptoms, kind of concurrent treatment, frequency of treatment, and the effect desired. Formulation of therapeutic compositions and their subsequent administration is believed to be within the skill of those in the art.

Hybridomas which produce antibodies that bind to WIP-1, and the antibodies themselves, are useful in the isolation and purification of WIP-1 and protein complexes that include WIP-1. In addition, antibodies are specific inhibitors of WIP-1 activity. Antibodies which specifically bind to WIP-1 may be used to purify the protein from natural sources using well known techniques and readily available starting materials. Such antibodies may also be used to purify the protein from material present when producing the protein by recombinant DNA methodology.

As used herein, the term “antibody” is meant to refer to complete, intact antibodies, and Fab fragments and F(ab)₂ fragments thereof. Complete, intact antibodies include monoclonal antibodies such as murine monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antibodies and humanized antibodies. In some embodiments, the antibodies specifically bind to an epitope of WIP-1. Antibodies that bind to an epitope is useful to isolate and purify that protein from both natural sources or recombinant expression systems using well known techniques such as affinity chromatography. Such antibodies are useful to detect the presence of such protein in a sample and to determine if cells are expressing the protein.

The production of antibodies and the protein structures of complete, intact antibodies, Fab fragments and F(ab)₂ fragments and the organization of the genetic sequences that encode such molecules are well known and are described, for example, in Harlow, E. and D. Lane (1988) ANTIBODIES. A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. which is incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, for example, WIP-1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, is injected into mice. The spleen of the mouse is removed, the spleen cells are isolated and fused with immortalized mouse cells. The hybrid cells, or hybridomas, are cultured and those cells which secrete antibodies are selected. The antibodies are analyzed and, if found to specifically bind to WIP-1, the hybridoma which produces them is cultured to produce a continuous supply of antibodies.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods of identifying anti-WNV compounds. According to this aspect, the WIP-1 or a fragment of WIP-1 known to interact with Cp is contacted with Cp or a fragment of Cp which interacts with WIP-1 to prevent or inhibit G2/M transition by cells in the presence of a test compound. The affinity of the WIP-1 or a fragment of WIP-1 known to interact with Cp to the Cp or fragment thereof is measured and compared to the affinity of the WIP-1 or a fragment of WIP-1 known to interact with Cp to the Cp or fragment thereof in the absence of a test compound. Compounds which can disrupt the binding of Cp to PAP1 may be useful as anti-WNV compounds. An example of a positive control in this drug screen assay would be anti-WIP-1 antibodies which competitively bind to WIP-1 with respect to Cp. Another example of a positive control in this drug screen assay would be anti-Cp antibodies which competitively bind to Cp with respect to WIP-1. Such antibodies are useful as known compounds that disrupt the Cp/WIP-1 interaction. Known quantities of Cp and WIP-1 may be combined under conditions suitable for binding. In some embodiments of the invention, the preferred concentration of test compound is between 1 μM and 500 μM. A preferred concentration is 10 μM to 100 μM. In some preferred embodiments, it is desirable to use a series of dilutions of test compounds.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods of identifying compounds that inhibit WIP-1/PAP-1 interaction and therefore induce apoptosis in cells which have such molecular complexes. According to this aspect, the WIP-1 or a fragment of WIP-1 known to interact with PAP-1 is contacted with PAP-1 or a fragment of PAP-1 which interacts with WIP-1. The affinity of the WIP-1 or a fragment thereof to PAP-1 or fragment thereof is measured and compared to the affinity of the WIP-1 or a fragment thereof to the PAP-1 or fragment thereof in the absence of a test compound. Compounds which can disrupt the binding of PAP-1 to WIP-1 may be useful as anti-cancer compounds. An example of a positive control in this drug screen assay would be anti-WIP-1 antibodies which competitively bind to WIP-1 with respect to PAP-1. Another example of a positive control in this drug screen assay would be anti-PAP-1 antibodies which competitively bind to PAP-1 with respect to WIP-1. Such antibodies are useful as known compounds that disrupt the PAP-1/WIP-1 interaction. Known quantities of PAP-1 and WIP-1 may be combined under conditions suitable for binding. In some embodiments of the invention, the preferred concentration of test compound is between 1 μM and 500 μM. A preferred concentration is 10 μM to 100 μM. In some preferred embodiments, it is desirable to use a series of dilutions of test compounds.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not intended to be limiting in any way.

EXAMPLE

West Nile Virus is a single-stranded RNA virus with a positive-polarity RNA genome of approximately 11 kb. The nucleocapsid of approximately 30 nm in diameter consists of capsid and genomic RNA. The cloning and expression of cDNA encoding WNV Capsid (Cp), and the use of WNVCP-DNA as an immunogen in mice has been reported. Characterization of the WNV Cp revealed that it is a pathogenic protein, which induce apoptosis, in vitro and in vivo through the mitochondrial-mediated pathway. In a search for the cellular proteins that may act as possible intracellular receptor for this capsid protein using a yeast-two hybrid system, a human cDNA encoding a novel 343 aa protein, interacted by Cp and we have tentatively designated as WIP-1 (West Nile capsid interacting protein) was identified. For immunoblotting purposes, an HA epitope was fused in frame to the amino terminal end of this protein. In vitro translated protein product prepared from pcWip revealed the synthesis of protein of about 38-kDa in mass. The physical interaction between WNV Cp and its ligand was confirmed by using ³⁵S-labeled in vitro translated protein. The SDS gel analysis of lysate prepared from the cells transfected with this expression plasmid followed by brief metabolic labeling of cells using ³⁵S-labeled methionine indicated the mobility of protein corresponding to molecular mass of in vitro translated product. Transient expression studies indicate that this protein is clearly localized in the cytoplasmic region with a typical donut structure localized at the perinuclear region. In most of the cells expressing both Cp and its ligand, WIP is colocalized with the Cp protein in the nuclear region. This indicates a clear interaction between these proteins inside the cells. Several deletion as well as site-specific mutants of both Cp and its ligand have been constructed in order map their interaction domains. Some of these site-directed mutants have exhibited totally altered localization patterns. 

1. A recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a protein having the amino acid sequence of human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human WIP-1.
 2. A host cell comprising the recombinant expression vector of claim
 1. 3. An isolated nucleic acid molecule consisting of the human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human WIP-1 cDNA sequence or a fragment thereof that encodes a fragment of human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human WIP-1 having at least 120 amino acids.
 4. An isolated oligonucleotide molecule of no more than 150 nucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to the human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human (WIP-1) cDNA sequence, wherein the nucleotide sequence complementary to human WIP-1 cDNA sequence is complementary to no more than between 24 to 100 nucleotides of the human WIP-1 cDNA sequence.
 5. An isolated oligonucleotide molecule of no more than 150 nucleotides comprising of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of about 150 nucleotides of the human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human WIP-1 cDNA sequence.
 6. An isolated oligonucleotide molecule consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of 28 nucleotides of the human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human WIP-1 cDNA sequence.
 7. A recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes SEQ ID NO:3.
 8. An isolated nucleic acid molecule consisting of the West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein WIP-1 cDNA sequence or a fragment thereof that encodes a fragment of SEQ ID NO:3 having at least 120 amino acids.
 9. The oligonucleotide molecule of claim 4 wherein said human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human WIP-1 cDNA sequence is SEQ ID NO:3.
 10. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 3 consisting of the cDNA sequence of human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human WIP-1.
 11. The isolated oligonucleotide molecule of claim 4 consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to no more than between 24 to 50 nucleotides of the human West Nile Virus Core Protein/Capsid Interacting Protein human WIP-1 cDNA sequence. 